252

PUEYRREDON SUPREME DIRECTOR.

Mr. Madison refused to accede to so unreasonable a requirement; and the Spanish Minister, in great dudgeon, mounted his high horse, and took his departure from Washington.

On the 17th of May, the Sovereign Congress of Tucuman elected Colonel Pueyrredon Supreme Director of the State, superseding thus the actual Director's temporary appointment.

Your's, &c.,

THE AUTHORS.

LETTER XL.

THE AUTHORS TO GENERAL MILLER.

Admiral Brown goes to the Pacific-Discontent of Artigas-General Balcarce displaced-Declaration of Independence-Pueyrredon elected Supreme Director-Affair of Azurduy-PueyrredonInterference of the Portuguese-General San Martin continues his preparations for crossing the Andes.

London, 1842.

AFTER the fall of Monte Video, the indefatigable and restless Brown, finding that his services were not further required in the River Plate, determined, with the approbation of the Government, to fit out a small squadron of privateers, and try his fortune in the Pacific. He got round there, kept the coast in alarm, made many prizes, took some prisoners of distinction, and sailing as far north as Guayaquil, he suddenly attacked the town, and threw it into the utmost consternation. Leaving his own ship, for the purpose of being able to enter the river, he took the command of a brig, and bombarded the shipping and town from it. In his ardour, however, he forgot the tides; his

254

DISCONTENT OF ARTIGAS.

brig got aground; became useless, was taken, and he himself, and his crew made prisoners. Fortunately, he possessed in vessels and in captives of rank, ample means for an exchange; and, accordingly, after some negociation, he and his men were rescued from their dilemma, by his giving up two vessels, and some of the principal Spaniards whom he had taken. He remained for some time on the coast, and ultimately returned to Buenos Ayres.

The discontent of Artigas, arising from the interference by Buenos Ayres in the affairs of the Banda Oriental, though suffocated for a season, was by no means extinguished. Indeed his success and popularity in the provinces were so decided, that at length, on acceding to a treaty proposed by the Director Balcarce, he found himself in a position to dictate his own terms to the Porteños.

The Gaucho chief insisted, in the first place, that the Buenos Ayres troops, quartered in the Rosario, should fall back on San Nicolas, both towns being on the west bank of the Paraná, but only the latter within the province of Buenos Ayres. This preliminary condition being readily complied with, matters were "made up" between

GENERAL BALCARCE DISPLACED.

255

the belligerents; the capital, as the weaker of the two parties, conceding everything to Artigas. Thus Buenos Ayres began to fall before the united wishes and influence of the provinces, which she had unsuccessfully tried to bring under her own subjection and control.

On the 11th of July, General Antonio Gonzalez Balcarce was displaced by an unworthy intrigue from his temporary directorship; and we notice this instance of the fickleness of the South American Athens to record the probity, patriotism, and ability of the man who was denounced as incapable of holding his situation as first magistrate of the province. The integrity of his character soon redeemed him from momentary unmerited disgrace; and when he died at an early stage of the revolution, his name was with justice consecrated in the hearts of the people, as a disinterested lover of his country. But it seems to be an inherent sin in the constitution of democracy, that no public man's character is safe for a week together. A republican is enamoured of abstract justice and theoretical equality; but he is often woefully at issue with himself when his opinions are brought to a practical test.

258

PUEYRREDON SUPREME DIRECTOR.

act, binding themselves through as, to the fulfilment and upholding of this their will, under the security and guarantee of their lives, property, and fame. In publishing this decree, let a manifesto be drawn up and published, in token of respect for the nations at large, setting forth the grave causes which have impelled us to this declaration.'

Many respectable names were appended to this document; those, indeed, of every one of the representatives. The mask of holding the country for Ferdinand was in this manner laid aside by the representatives of the people; and the event has shown that they ran no risk in so doing,

The Congress next proceeded to the election of a Supreme Director of the State, and the choice, as already stated, fell on Colonel Juan Martin de Pueyrredon, who has already been honourably mentioned in his military capacity. In his magisterial one, we fear, we shall have to speak of him in less laudatory terms.

The first despatch addressed to Pueyrredon, as Supreme Director, is a curious one. It is from the Commander-in-chief of the Peruvian army, General Belgrano, who commences thus :

"I send to your Excellency a design of the